STEVENS POINT – Residents and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students gathered Sunday afternoon for an afternoon of food, games and music at the Old Main Neighborhood Association's annual block party.

OMNA president Cindy Nebel said the association is the only recognized neighborhood association in Stevens Point. She said the group serves as a bridge between homeowners in the Old Main area and student renters.

She said OMNA began in 2008, and it represents the area encompassed by Clark Street, Maria Drive, Division Street and Michigan Avenue.

"We wanted to make sure we were a group that was organized that could be involved with what was happening in our neighborhood, the changes that come because you do live near a university that is always expanding," Nebel said.

This year was the first time OMNA hosted the party after the students returned to school. In past years, Nebel said some students who had moved into the area before classes began attending the party, and the association wanted to increase that participation. She said the change in timing for the event brought in more students.

This year's block party included games such as ring toss and badminton, as well as a photo booth and hula hoops. Entertainment was provided by the Hi Matics, a local folk rock band that formed in 2011 and performs around central Wisconsin.

Nebel said OMNA serves as an advocate for people to be good neighbors to one another.

"We promote people talking to people first," she said. "If that doesn't work, then we let them know who is the proper person (to call)."

The association provided brochures at the block party with information to educate students about living in the area such as descriptions of commonly violated city ordinances and phone numbers to call if there are problems in the neighborhood.

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Nebel said the association likes to encourage the homeowners and students to live peacefully together.

"It's important for the students to realize there's families living here and for the families to realize there are great students who can be good neighbors," she said. "That's what we want to promote."

Sari Lesk can be reached at 715-345-2257. Follow her on Twitter as @Sari_Lesk.